10 Old Video Games Kept Alive By Hardcore Fans
6. Pac-Man
Right up there with the most important and influential video games ever made, Pac-Man is a game that will never truly die out. At least, hopefully not.
Developed and released by Namco in 1980, the basic premise of a small yellow hockey puck-shaped circle working its way through a maze of dots with four ghosts chasing it was an instant hit, perfect for the golden age of retro arcade machines and helped spawn a franchise that is still as heavily referenced today as it has ever been before.
As well as spawning a franchise that has expanded on the lore of Pac-Man and his baddie ghost enemies, the game's cultural standing and impact on its fans is what has really kept the Namco mascot alive and well.
Brand awareness is everything in the world of business, and arguably only a handful of mascots have come close to matching the awareness Pac-Man has given Namco over the years. Merchandising is a huge commodity for Pac-Man, with everything from hats, lunchboxes to bottle openers all available to purchase and carry around, all of which help keep this yellow fellow and his original game right at the front of every good gamer's mind.